Raphael’s Cat is set to contest the 2015 Danehill Stakes at Flemington tomorrow and trainer Gai Waterhouse is typically bullish about the chances of the promising colt in the Group 2 event at Flemington tomorrow.
Blake Shinn has been booked to ride Raphael’s Cat in the 2015 Danehill Stakes at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Raphael’s Cat was sent to the spelling paddock after he tired late to finish seventh in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14, but he returned to racing with a dominant win in the More Than Ready At Vinery Handicap (1200m) on August 19.
The Redoute’s Choice colt was included in the Run To The Rose field, but connections opted to scratch him and save him for the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m).
Waterhouse has always been full of praise for Raphael’s Cat and she believes that the three-year-old is a genuine winning chance in the 2015 Danehill Stakes at Flemington this weekend.
“This is a very underrated and underexposed colt,” Waterhouse said.
“He is by Redoute’s Choice and he was second or third favourite when he was nominated and accepted for back in Sydney two weeks ago.
“Since then we have opted to come to the Danehill and the colt has travelled very nicely.
“He is a good style of a horse and he will be very effective.”
Raphael’s Cat has not been included in the first acceptances for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) that were released earlier in the week and Waterhouse revealed that the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31 could be a better option for the colt, but she will wait until he runs in the Danehill Stakes before she makes any decisions about his immediate racing future.
“That will be decided after the race,” Waterhouse said.
“If he was able to win this and look like a really exciting sprinting horse, I would recommend they go to the Coolmore, which is up the same track in about six weeks’ time.
“If he looks like being a horses that needs further than the Guineas would be a lovely option.”
Raphael’s Cat is currently available at 2015 Danehill Stakes odds of $5.50 with Ladbrokes and he is on the second line of betting behind Mick Price-trained Ready For Victory ($3.20).
Waterhouse is chasing her first win in the Danehill Stakes after previously failing to fire with Wandjina (2014), Romantic Touch (2013), Spectatorial (2001) and Newquay (2001).
